Ordinary Life

    I let my full weight fall against Burger King's heavy glass door and pushed against it. By nature a fairly passive person, I knew the door would absorb my unusually forceful shove with no loss of dignity. I even imagined it welcomed me a little. Better doors than people. (or...doors are better than people?)    We were en route to the bedside of a very sick relative and I knew we may not make it in time to say good bye.    Over the course of the morning, I had morphed into a tiny black rain cloud, prone to outbursts like thunder claps and sudden showers that washed away any semblance of "strength".     Once inside the ladies room,  I wiped away what streaked mascara could be budged and sighed a prayer of "please".    I wasn't praying for extra time. I wasn't praying to get there. I was praying for peace and that all would be well with my uncle...soul wise...you know..." It is well...it is well...with my soul ." And I wa...

Yes, sometimes I draw on my children. And sometimes I draw on myself, too. It's okay. It washes off. This particular piece is a metaphor about freedom, and letting go of the things you think are helping you to fly so that you can really fly as yourself- with wings spread wide... and also how you take your mom's heart with you wherever you go... so please don't drop it...  Yeah, that's it. 

Are you ready to rock?

Sometimes, we pit pat clatter across the street to eat:  Riley passes the time as we wait on the french fries, that she probably won't eat, to arrive: Princesses on "magic carpets" (by RYE)

One of Riley's favorite questions is "Will you________ with me?" Whatever it is she is doing, she likes to have a friend join in- usually-and most almost all of the time, that friend is me.  For this I am grateful.  It is nice to needed in such a way.  I plan to enjoy it while it lasts.  On this particular day -a while back now, but it could have been any day, given her chosen activity- Riley wanted me to paint with her. Riley asks to paint every single day.  Rye determining which shade to tint her mostly murky colored painting.  Of course I joined her. (I LOVE painting too!) I came up with a few clouds. Perhaps that is the ocean underneath...I'll never know how it turned out, this was as far as I got before she claimed it and began to add her own touches.  We were low on paper for painting, so I pulled out a stack of paper sacks.  Some of my brown bag masterpieces: When I painted this rainbow, I thought Riley would love it- and she did. However s...

 Rye's art & snack session was set up like this.  Look closely at those pencil leads, it will be important later.  Sugar is brainfood...it was a perfectly nutritious snack...stop judgin' me :)  Sprinkles make ya sweet... ...and Sprinkles are inspiring!  Yes...just a shirt & training pants... it's what works for us...  ~Sugar Lips~ Okay, time for the story.  I bought a container of sprinkles in hopes of convincing Riley to broaden her culinary horizons. Currently, she and Buddy the Elf share a similar palate .  Yes, sprinkles are made of sugar too, but if you shake them over, say, Mashed Potatoes or Chicken Nuggets then sugar becomes a lesser ingredient. Especially when compared with most of her current preferred favorites, like "Big Chocolate Cupcake Cookies" (a.k.a. Reese Cups) and Pink Ice Cream.   It isn't an exact science, but it has met with some success.  So, Riley had a little bowl of sprinkles during her art and sna...

Riley paints with PINK .  And more PINK .  Occasionally Purple or Teal .  But mostly, PINK .  This is what we do not care for: watercolors Here is what we prefer: Glitter & Acrylics

Everyone had gone to the truck, except Riley and myself. We seem to always be the last two in the car. There are a host of reasons, from finding a lost shoe to re-packing an understocked diaper bag. We've recently added "Load Rye's purse" to that list. That was one of the reasons we were lagging on this day. We took the elevator down one whole flight...18 steps worth of space... to the parking lot ; not because it is faster, rather because it is a safer means of travel for those of us with both hands and a foot full. As we exited the elevator, Riley spied her shadow in a shaft of sunlight. She and her newfound friend commenced a dance promptly.

Sleepy Cat (needs a nap)  Start with a clean candy tin. We used a miniature one.   The pillow and blanket are made from ribbon.   Sleepy Cat is two pieces of felt, hand stitched together; wide awake wiggly eyes on one side, snoozy sleeping eyes on the other.  Snoozer is Sleepy Cat's teddy-mouse. Smaller felt scraps stitched together, again with differing eyes to denote asleep/alertness.  A small story book and a ball of yarn for playtime.  All put together...  ...and portable...

Riley can reach the make-up drawer now... and she has paid close enough attention to get the general idea.  When all was said and done, I lifted her to the mirror and said "Aren't you pretty?"  She said "I'm a mess!"  Oh, yes.  She is. 

Rye loves the "cone-part".  So, that is where she started.